Speckles, a Rabbit with Spunk        Speckles, a mix of English spot and miniature rabbit, came from Gurnie and Millie Hobbs of Bowie to our children Peter, 5, and Barbara, 3, in the spring of 1974.       While living outdoors during his first summer in a wooden hutch with litter box, he was bitten by a horse fly, infesting his hind quarters deeply with the animal disease warbles.

      It takes a village to raise Nitro.       Part of Nitro’s village is the yoga class he attends three times a week. The pup lays on his blue blanket at the front of class, chews on his bone and fights the urge to get up and roll around with the yoga students as they stretch. 

       In my 20 years of a wonderful, varied and active family life, we often raised cats at the same time as the dogs in perfect harmony. They even slept happily together, even our two ordinarily reckless huskies.

Anchors Away Pet Sitting: Providing a home away from home for your pets — plus pictures to keep you in touch while you’re away. 443-608-9306; www.facebook.com/anchorsawaypetsitting  

      Dogs need some time to be dogs. Here’s where you can take them to run and frolic leash free. (Most of the public parks in Bay country allow dogs but require that you keep them on a leash.)

    Anne Arundel County Animal ­Control Shelter